Welcome to our community

Welcome to our community

We are looking forward to you joining us as a volunteer and we hope you have an enjoyable time with us. Your staff lead and/or volunteer lead will be in touch with you agree your first shift. We know starting somewhere new can generate a lot of questions for you, here are some answers to frequently asked questions that you may find helpful to know before your first shift.

Before you start

Your Staff Lead or Volunteer Lead will be in touch to agree your first shift date and start time. If you do not hear from them, please contact the volunteering team volunteering@stpaulscathedral.org.uk

Ensure we have checked your identity documents

If you didn’t have your identity documents checked at the time of selection, we need you to arrange to come in either on a day before for your first shift or just before your first shift starts. You will need to confirm arrangements to have these documents checked by our HR Team and more information can be found on our checking your identity page.

Add your Emergency Contact details on your Assemble account

We really need at least one emergency contact detail to be added to your account – this can be a family member, a friend or neighbour – someone you would like us to call in case anything happens.

Explore the Document Hub in Assemble

In the document hub you will find the Volunteer Handbook (a useful guide to all aspects of life at the Cathedral), Volunteer Agreement and Volunteering Policy. The team may have also added role specific information that will be helpful to you in your volunteering.

Log into Assemble
St Paul's on the skyline of the City

Your first shift

What should I bring?

Water bottle – we will provide water.

There is tea and coffee available in the Concorde Lounge (you will be shown this on your first day).

Face Mask (if preferred)

Food – we have facilities to store cold food and heat food during the day. Alternatively, there are many options to buy food locally

What should I wear?

Our dress code is smart casual (no rip jeans or trousers, no logos etc).

Comfy footwear for lots of walking in the Cathedral

Layers – wherever you are based, it gets a bit chilly and simultaneously a bit warm!

Where to go when I arrive?

Please arrive via our security office – download this helpful guide to show you where to go.

Life at the Cathedral

Who we are

We are the custodians of this historical and important building and of the powerful legacy of St Paul and Christopher Wren. We bring history to life and caretake it for future generations. Every one of us has an essential part to play in the endeavour and must never forget this significant responsibility. To learn more visit our About Us page.

Our values – W.R.E.N

Welcoming

We all offer a warm inclusive welcome to everyone: our colleagues (staff and volunteers) and each one of our visitors.

Responsible

We are people of integrity, each responsible for part of the whole of the Cathedral’s work, looking after the Cathedral for the next generation.

Engaging

We seek to engage everyone in our mission, at the Cathedral, within London and across the World.

Nurturing

As a community we work together in a learning environment, aiming for the highest possible standards in everything we do whilst acknowledging that we cannot do everything. Our mission St Paul’s Cathedral seeks to enable people to encounter the transforming presence of God and in Jesus Christ.

Our purpose

The Cathedral is a community of worship and mission with a particular role in supporting the Bishop of London in her work across the diocese and beyond. We are above all a living Christian church, inspired by the love of God in Jesus Christ to offer welcome, prayer and learning.

Together, we are entrusted with the outstanding building and the iconic dome, the fruit of human skills offered to the glory of God. We will curate and fashion the building on behalf of current and future generations as a sign of hope for all.

We will bring together all our resources to make a tangible difference to people’s lives, shaping policy and attitudes to tackle social injustice, specifically in the area of young people’s mental health.

Services at the Cathedral

As a working church, worship is a the heart of the Cathedral with daily services taking place on the Cathedral floor from Monday-Saturday as follows:

7.30am – Morning prayer

8am and 12.30pm – Eucharlist

5pm – Choral Evensong

The Lord’s Prayer is normally said every hour from 11am to 4pm

On Sunday, the schedule of services is different to the above. Our free-to-attend daily services are open to all, and offer a chance to hear the inspiring voices of our Cathedral choir and our other talented musicians.

If you are on the Cathedral floor at these times, please respect this peaceful time. Visit our What’s On page to find out all our latest services and there timings.

Sightseeing at the Cathedral

St Paul's, with its world-famous dome, is an iconic feature of the London skyline. We welcome visitors to worship, to sightsee and to attend a dynamic programme of events – from orchestral performances to thought-provoking panel discussions.

Those coming to sightsee can walk in the footsteps of royalty and political leaders on the Cathedral Floor, explore the Crypt where our nation's heroes are buried – or scale our Dome and enjoy unrivalled views across London. Visit our History and Collections section to explore more of the intriguing stories in our past.

Our sightseeing opening times are:

  • Monday to Saturday
  • 8.30am (10am on Wednesday) to 4.30pm
  • Last sightseeing entry 4pm.

You can find out more about our sightseeing offer on our Visit Us page

What we do

In addition to our services and sightseeing offer we deliver vibrant programmes and share a rich history.

Learn more about our worship and music, learning and history and collection.

 

Keeping you safe

Safeguarding

St Paul's Cathedral takes safeguarding very seriously. We are committed to protecting the welfare of children and of all adults who are vulnerable – whether that be our worshippers, visitors, clergy, staff or volunteers.

Read more about how we manage any safeguarding concerns on our dedicated safeguarding webpage.

Watch our Follow up Briefing

This short video covers our internal procedures and policies for raising safeguarding concerns whilst you are at the Cathedral.

Safety and security

St Paul’s is committed to keeping everyone safe.

You can read more about our security procedures in place at the Cathedral for those coming to visit or worship. 

During your induction and training, you will receive information specifically for your role and location, not only about any security issues you need to be made aware of but also any health and safety procedures which apply to you.

volunteer broderers smiling together

Volunteer with us

Join our sociable and supportive community of volunteers and be surrounded by incredible architecture, history, collections and faith in the heart of the City.

Find out more
volunteer freinds hug sun churchyard

Volunteering FAQ

Have a question about volunteering for us? From time commitments to accessibility, find your answers here.

Find out more